452 PENINSULAR WAR. [1809. 



little, except that the Government is most contemp- 

 tible, and things in the most wretched state. The 

 Spanish colonies in America are exceedingly well- 

 disposed to the new order of things in the mother 

 country (Buenos Ayres only except ed), and have fur- 

 nished large supplies. 



" The Hollands are no believers in the original 

 treason of Morla, and the deep plan for delivering up 

 Madrid, so much talked of in the account of Moore's 

 campaign. He is a great coward, and was probably 

 frightened into submission, and afterwards went en- 

 tirely over to the French cause.'" Charmilly also was 

 a mere adventurer, and highly improper to be trusted 

 by Frere ; but no spy or traitor. In these opinions 

 they were confirmed yesterday by Charles Stuart, who 

 dined at Holland House yesterday. We had also at 

 dinner the new Secretary at War (Lord Palmerston), 

 who was silent and reserved, as became a Cabinet 

 minister and man of fashion. 



" But it was still apparent, notwithstanding his 

 discretion and reserve, that they have no great hopes 

 from the Scheldt expedition. It is generally under- 

 stood that this is more a concern of the king than 

 the ministry, his Majesty having been gratified with 

 the nomination of the staff in return for his acquies- 

 cence iii the appointment of Sir A. Wellesley to the 

 chief command in Spain. 



* Don Thomas Morla, born 1752, died 1820, a Spanish officer, with 

 an adventurous personal career, which subjected him to many accusa- 

 tions. A brief and distinct account of his strange career, by M. Adrien 

 <ie Lui'aye, will be found in the Nouvelle Biographie Generale. 



